The human heart is more than just a blood-pumping organ — it’s also home to some of our most powerful emotions. A racing heart, known as palpitations, is one such emotion that many people experience at some point in their lives. But what causes your heart to start beating rapidly in the middle of the night? Whether you’re just getting used to the idea or find that palpitations are a regular occurrence for you, read on for everything you need to know about why I wake up with my heart racing.
Why Do I Wake Up With My Heart Racing?
The human heart is more than just a blood-pumping organ — it’s also home to some of our most powerful emotions. A racing heart, known as palpitations, is one such emotion that many people experience at some point in their lives. But what causes your heart to start beating rapidly in the middle of the night? Whether you’re just getting used to the idea or find that palpitations are a regular occurrence for you, read on for everything you need to know about why I wake up with my heart racing.
What Exactly Is A Racing Heart?
1. A Racing Heart is a Common Condition
Palpitations are a common condition that most people experience at some point in their lives. Even if you don’t have the condition, your heart is still likely to beat faster than usual from time to time. The exact cause is usually unknown, but it’s thought that these rapid heartbeats are caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure or an abnormal electrical signal within the heart.
2. Palpitations Can Be A Symptom of Heart Disease
If you have a family history of heart disease or any other medical conditions which could potentially affect your heart rhythm, then you should be aware that palpitations may be an early sign of a problem. In fact, it’s estimated that around 4% of the population has palpitations as a symptom of some form of cardiovascular disease such as hypertension or atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).
3. Left Unmanaged, Palpitations Could Lead to Death
If palpitations get worse and last for more than a few minutes, then it’s important that you visit your GP as soon as possible. If left untreated, the condition could lead to heart failure and even cardiac arrest (a medical emergency in which the heart stops beating). If you have a family history of heart disease or any other medical conditions which could potentially affect your heart rhythm, then you should be aware that palpitations may be an early sign of a problem.
4. Palpitations Can Be Caused by Stress and Anxiety
A racing heartbeat can also be caused by stressful events or anxiety — particularly if your body is having to work harder to cope with these emotions. This is because a racing heartbeat is the body’s way of telling you that something isn’t right; it’s trying to tell you that something needs your attention. Unchecked, Palpitations Can Become a Serious Condition
If your heart starts to beat rapidly and you feel like you’re about to have a heart attack, then it’s important that you seek medical attention straight away. While palpitations will usually go away on their own, if they continue for more than a day or two then you should see your doctor. In some cases, palpitations can be the first sign of a serious condition such as atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), a condition that can lead to heart failure.
5. As Well As Being Uncomfortable, Palpitations Can Be Distressing
Most people find that they experience palpitations during the night when they wake up with their heart racing. While this may not be an issue for some people, others find that these rapid beats are disturbing and cause them anxiety or distress. The same goes for those who are to Their Own Devices, Palpitations Can Spread
If you have palpitations, then it’s important to remember that they can spread to other parts of your body. This is because of the effect that a rapid heart rate can have on your blood pressure and the way your heart contracts. In fact, if you don’t manage to get a handle on the condition, then you could be at risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
6. Palpitations Aren’t Always Bad News
A racing heartbeat does not always mean that something is wrong with your heart — in fact, it can be a sign that everything is just fine! For example, many common conditions such as anxiety and insomnia are often accompanied by palpitations. And if you have any questions about whether or not this could be affecting your health, then it may be worth seeing your doctor — after all, they have more-sided Palpitations Are More Common
In general, palpitations are more common on the left side of the body (the right side is where most of your blood flows). While this is not a definitive sign that you have a heart problem, it can be useful in determining which areas you should look more closely at if you experience palpitations.
Tips To Calm Your Racing Heart
Unchecked, Palpitations Can Become a Life-Threatening Condition
If you find that you have palpitations that are frequent and occur at night, then it’s worth speaking to your GP. It could be an early sign of a serious heart condition such as atrial fibrillation or even a heart attack.
Palpitations Can Be a Symptom of Anxiety or Depression
Palpitations are common in people who are anxious or distressed and may occur during the day or night. Some people find that they wake up with their heart racing because they’re worried about something — whether it be work stress, money worries, a fight with their partner, or anything else that causes them to feel anxious and on edge. This is why some people may find that palpitations occur more often when they’re under pressure.
Exercise can Trigger Palpitation Symptoms
are untreated, and Palpitations can Lead to a Heart Attack
If you have palpitations that occur regularly and cannot be explained by other health conditions such as vitamin deficiency or low blood pressure, then you should seek medical advice. If your palpitations are accompanied by a feeling of chest pain or discomfort, then you may be suffering from an acute heart attack. It’s important to get help as soon as possible.
Palpitations Can Be Caused by Stress
While many people experience palpitations without any underlying health problems, stress can sometimes cause rapid heartbeats in a different way: it can make your heart beat faster than usual. Stress is a normal body reaction that causes your muscles to tense up in order to prepare for an imminent fight or flight response — this means that if stressed enough, your body may speed up your heartbeat in order to increase the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the Untreated, Palpitations Can Lead to Serious Health Problems
In some cases, palpitations can develop into a serious condition known as “atrial fibrillation”. If you already have atrial fibrillation, then you should be aware that it can increase your risk of stroke and other major health problems. If you have no previous history of heart disease or high blood pressure then palpitations are unlikely to be a symptom of a serious health problem.
Once You’re Diagnosed with Palpitations, the Condition Can Be Treated
In many cases, palpitations can be treated without any additional medical intervention – if you have no other symptoms of heart disease then simply taking medication for your high blood pressure may help relieve the symptoms of palpitations. In some cases though, further medical treatment may be required to control the rate and rhythm at which your heartbeat occurs (known as pulse to Their Own Devices, Palpitations Can Be Harmful
If you’re experiencing palpitations alone, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what triggers them. But you should always report any sudden episodes of increased heart rate or symptoms such as chest pain to your GP as soon as possible so that they can be investigated and treated. In the meantime, try to avoid doing anything that will result in your heart beating faster for longer than usual — this could include exercising, talking on the phone, or using any form of electrical equipment.
You Shouldn’t Worry if Your Heart Races at Night
Many people find that their heart starts beating faster in the middle of the night. This can be a common occurrence for some people, but it doesn’t mean that you have a problem with your heart or need medical attention. Even though these episodes are generally harmless, it’s important to know when they’re a symptom of something Unchecked, Palpitations Can Harm Your Heart
When left untreated, palpitations can lead to a heart attack or other heart-related problems such as a stroke or irregular heartbeat. It’s thought that the increased heartbeat is due to a sudden drop in blood pressure which can result in a lack of oxygen reaching vital organs within the body.
Final Words
If your racing heart is caused by stress or anxiety, you may be able to correct the problem by changing your sleep habits. Try to create an environment that helps you fall asleep easily and promotes good sleep hygiene. If your racing heart is caused by something else, such as a heart condition or a thyroid disorder, it’s important to seek treatment to avoid it becoming a more serious problem. Your doctor can help you figure out what’s going on and what treatment is best for you.
